Apparatus for marking and filling sacks



March 6 P. EPPENBERGER APPARATUS FOR MARKING AND FILLING SACKS Sheet. 1 of 5 Filed May 18, 1966 INVENTOR. fla/ March 11, 1969 P. EPPENBERGER 3,431,699

APPARATUS FOR MARKING AND FILLING SACKS Filed May 18, 1966 Sheet .2 of a Fig. 2

INV ENTOR.

March 11, 1969 'P. EPPENBERGER 3,431,699

APPARATUS FOR MARKING AND FILLING SACKS Filed May 18, 1966 Sheet INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,431,699 APPARATUS FOR MARKING AND FILLING SACKS Paul Eppenberger, Amriswil, Thurgau, Switzerland, assignor to Gebruder Buhler, Uzwil, Saint Gall, Switzerland Filed May 18, 1966, Ser. No. 553,581 U.S. CI. 53-67 15 Claims Int. Cl. B65!) 57/06, 61/26 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for marking and filling sacks includes a marking and filling station having a metering hopper, means transporting empty sacks to a position beneath the hopper, a plurality of compartments each containing a different material to be sacked and feeding means each associated with a respective compartment. The apparatus also includes automatic control means for selectively activating a feeding device, deactivating the latter after a number of metered charges of the same material have been sacked, and then activating another selected feeding device. Means are provided to discharge each charge of material from the hopper into the sack suspended beneath the hopper, and a sack marking device is provided in the filling station to mark the sack with identifying information. A control means connects the marking device with the selected feeding device and effects sack marking actuation of the marking device before the suspended empty sack is filled with a charge.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to the marking and filling of sacks and, more particular, to a novel method of and apparatus for printing and filling a sack suspended beneath a metering hopper at a sack filling station.

In US. patent application Ser. No. 392,727, filed Aug. 28, 1964, now abandoned and substituted by continuation-in-part application Ser. No. 714,259, filed Mar. 19, 1968, for Sack Filling Equipment, there is shown and described a sack filling plant in which a balance is positioned above a sack filling device having several stations. The plant includes a number of silo cells each having associated therewith an individual feeding device for feeding material from the respective silo cell to the balance. Automatic control means are provided for disconnecting one feeding device after a preselected number of equal fillings of the same contents, and for connecting another feeding device associated with another silo cell. The sack filling device is provided with a marking device for identifying the contents of the sacks, either by product or possibly by weight, and this device is connected with the balance feeding devices by control means. This sack marking device is disclosed as arranged in the sack sampling station and as acting on the full sacks, but it is stated that the marking device could have been arranged at any other station of the sack filling device.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in a sack filling operation of the type mentioned above, a novel apparatus whereby the sacks may be marked while at the sack filling station.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus wherein the sacks are marked while suspended beneath the balance.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the suspended sack is marked before it is filled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus wherein the marking of the sack and the filling thereof can be arranged so closely together that 3,431,699 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 the interlocking of the two operations is concentrated with respect to both time and space. Y

A further obpect of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the marking is effected on the sack before it is filled whereby there is a great freedom in the selection of the marking method.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus wherein the marking is effected on the sack before the latter is filled, thereby providing for marking by a printing process operating with great force and wherein the risk of damaging the empty sack is greatly reduced.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type mentioned wherein the charging device for the balance or metering hopper can be provided, for example, with a locking mechanism controlled by the printing device so that the charging operation is effected only after the printing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus as just described and capable of a very simple interlocking between the printing operation and the subsequent filling of the sack. v

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as just described wherein there is certainty that the marking corresponds to the contents of the sack and wherein the locking mechanism can act on the same element which retains the discharge door of the metering hopper closed until the desired amount of material has been delivered into the metering hopper.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type mentioned in which printing can be effected in different colors.

Another ancillary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for filling sacks and in which the sacks may be numbered in a simple manner.

A further ancillary object of the invention is to provide a sack filling apparatus in which the printing mechanism is protected against dust.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view of one form of apparatus for embodying the invention, and illustrating the arrangement of the main parts of the printing mechanism and the filling station;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical connections between the electrical apparatus components of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, a metering hopper is illustrated at 1 as having arranged thereabove eight feeding devices 2 represented at A through H. Each feeding device 2 comprises a conveyor worm 4 driven by a motor 3. As illustrated in the above-mentioned US patent application, the feeding devices 2 are associated with respective silo cells (not represented), each containing a different product or a different material.

Metering hopper 1 is supported on the balance beam 5 having a fixed pivot 6 and carrying a balancing weight 7. When a predetermined weight of material has been delivered to metering hopper 1, balance beam 5 tilts to operate a switch 8 to stop the operation of the then active feeding device 2 and to exert a control on the locking mechanism 9 for the discharge door 10 hinged to metering hopper 1.

Beneath metering hopper 1 there is arranged the turntable 12 of a sack carousel having sack nozzles 13, one of which is represented in the sack printing and filling position directly beneath metering hopper 1. A sack 14, attached at a preceding station of the sack carousel 12, is secured to this nozzle 13 by suitable clamping means 15. A sack conrolled device 16, which may be a limit switch or a photoelectric cell, controls the drive of the sack marking device which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a priming mechanism.

This printing mechanism includes a frame 21 on which are secured laterally extending horizontal guide rails 22 for a carriage 23, and vertically extending guide rails 24 for an inking device 25. In the arrangement of FIG. 1, carriage 23 carries an octagonal rotary drum 26 having thereon eight printing stamps 27A through 271-1. Carriage 28 also carries a stamp selector 2% having a driving motor 29 on the shaft of which there are secured a selector arm 30 and a chain sprocket 31. Sprocket 31 drives a sprocket 33 through a chain 32, sprocket 33 being secured to rotate with drum 26. This assures that the angular position of drum 26 corresponds to that of selector arm 30. Eight switches, 35A through 35H, are provided to lock the position of selector arm 30, these switches interrupting the energization of driving motor 29 when selector arm 30 is in a preselected position.

When activated by sack control device 16, a driving motor 41 rotates through one complete revolution. Cams 42 and 43 are fixed to the shaft of motor 41. Cam 43 is effective to operate a switch 44 which controls the locking mechanism 9 for the discharge door of metering hopper 1, and also is effective to operate switches 65 and 66 which serve to stop driving motor 41 under conditions explained more fully hereinafter. Cam 42 operates a twoarm lever 46 pivoted at point 45 and driving inking device along rails 24 through the medium of a link 47. Inking device 25 carries three inking mechanisms 48, 49 and 50, for different colors, and which colors may be selected, by means which have not been shown in the drawing, as a function of the particular stamp 27 then in operation. In addition, cam 42 operates a three-arm lever 52 pivoted at point 51. Arm 53 of lever 52 drives carriage 23 along rails 22 through a link 54, and arm 55 of lever 52 is connected by a link 56 to one end of a lever 58 pivoted at 57 and having an upwardly bent arm 59. Arm 59 carries a counter-pressure plate 60 and a numbering device 61, which latter can be combined, if necessary, with a counter.

Frame 21 can be made dustproof by a cover which has not been shown. In the particular arrangement illustrated in the drawings, automatically operated flaps 62 are provided, which pivot from the solid line position to the dotand-dash line position to provide for passage of drum 26 therethrough to effect the printing operation.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2, this figure shows, in addition to the electrical components already mentioned with respect to FIG. 1, a central control mechanism 71 and a selecting device or selector 72. Selector 72 includes a movable contact or circuit bridger 73 which is movable, under the control of mechanism 71, to effect control of the driving motor 3 of the desired or selected feeding device 2 as well as the associated switch 35. The latter transmits the impulses for the connection and disconnection of the respective selected feeding device 2, as well as controlling the connection and disconnection of the motor 29 operating the selector arm 30.

Control mechanism 71 receives, from the switch 8, operated by balance beam 5, the signal for the disconnection of the drive of the selected feeding device, and also the impulse for moving the bag carousel 12 from the locking mechanism 9 for the discharge door 10 of metering hopper 1. Selector 72 is effective on driving motor 41 of the printing device to initiate operation thereof, when the selecting device is ready, after stopping of motor 29. Selector 22 also is effective to condition switch 66 for control of driving motor 41 upon actuation of switch 66 by cam disk 43. This conditioning of switch 66 is effected by selector 72 after a change in the selec tion of material has been initiated but beforejthe new 4 selection is started. When switch 66 is operated by cam disk 43, it deenergizes driving motor 41.

The method of operation of the described apparatus will be described for a particular example in which it is assumed that a lot of 30 bags, to contain material of the type F, and of ten bags, to contain material of type B, are to be filled. At the suspension station, which has not been shown in the drawings, a bag 14 is secured onto nozzle 13 by clamping device 15. Central control mechanism 71 brings contact bridger 73 into the position F. Motor 29 is thus energized to operate until selector arm 30 arrives at switch 35F, and thus turns drum 36, through sprocket 31, chain 32, and sprocket 33, until the desired printing stamp 27F is in the ready position. At the same time, the corresponding inking mechanism 48, 49 or 50 is selected.

Switch 35F then transmits an impulse for stopping motor 29 and signals to selector device 72, and thus at the same time to control mechanism 71, that the printing device is ready. The central control mechanism 71 initiates the operation of the selected feeding device 2F and, at the same time, the movement of the turntable 12 of the bag carousel, while selector 72 initiates opera tion of driving motor 41 of the printing device.

First, cam 42 actuates lever 46, and link 47 drives inking device 25 up to printing stamp 27F which is inked by the preselected inking mechanism 48, 49 or 50. Then link 46, together with inking device 25, return to their original positions. Cam 43 actuates switch 65 and the energization of driving motor 41 is interrupted. The printing operation has thus been prepared.

When a predetermined weight of material is present in metering hopper 1, balance beam 5 actuates switch 8. Through central control mechanism 71, switch 8 interrupts the energization of the motor 3F of feeding device 2F. There is still a certain flow into the metering hopper, which serves in a known manner to supplement the weight of the charge in metering hopper 1. At the same time, switch 8 sends an impulse to locking mechanism 9, for discharge door 10, but this impulse is effective only when it is also sent through the printing device.

During rotation of turntable 12 through the distance between two successive stations of the sack carousel, sack 14 arrives at sack control device 16, which sends an impulse to re-start driving motor 41. Cam 42 actuates lever 52 and lever arm 53, through link 54, pulls carriage 23 to the left. Drum 26 opens flaps 62. At the same time, lever arm 55, through link 56, swings lever 58 so that counter-pressure plate 60 is moved to the right. Printing stamp 27F and counter-pressure plate 60 press the bag between them into the form shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and printing stamp 27F prints the sack. The numerator 6 1 is actuated at the same time and prints a control number on the sack, either a consecutive number, or a coded number if necessary, which remains the same for a given interval. During the continued movement of cam 42, printing stamp 27F and counter-pressure plate 60 are returned to their original position. Since switch 66 has not been put into its operating state, cam 43 passes this switch without interrupting the operation of the driving motor, which latter continues to run. The inking process is repeated through the operation of cam 42 on lever 46 and link 47. Cam disk 43 again actuates switch 65, which stops the driving motor 41. The stamp is thus inked for the next sack.

After the printing has been completed, and before the new inking operation, cam disk 43 has closed switch 44, which sends an impulse to locking mechanism 9 of discharge door 10 of metering hopper 1. Door 10 is thus unlocked and the material delivered into and retained in metering tank 1 is discharged through nozzle 13 into sack 14. Door 10 then returns to its closing position and its locking mechanism 9 is again in the locking position. Mechanism 9 now sends an impulse to central control mechanism 71 which restarts feeding device 2F and initiates a further rotational movement of turntable 12. During this further movement of turntable 12, the filled sack is conducted to a compression station and to a sampling station (not shown). The next sack arrives at the sack control device 16 and is printed and then filled in the same manner, and the printing stamp is again inked. Due to the fact that the inking operation has been elfected already before the sack arrives in the printing and filling station, the dwell period at the station can be kept to a minimum. This results in a great increase in the capacity of the plant.

When starting the movement of turntable 12 to position the 30th bag at the printing and filling station, the central control mechanism 71 signals selector 72 with respect to the change to material B. Selector 72 places switch 66 in the operating state and, when the printing operation has been effected on the 30th bag, cam disk 43 actuates switch 66, which stops driving motor '41. Responsive to impulses of switch 8, control mechanism '71 has also stopped feeding device 2F, and now shifts contact bridge 73 into the position B. he selector device 72 thus selects feeding device 2B and switch 35B, and starts motor 29. When the selector arm 30', and thus printing stamp 27B and the corresponding inking mechanism 48, 49 or 50 are ready, selector 72 makes switch 66 inoperative and starts driving motor 41. Cam 42 drives the inking device to the inking position and returns it to the starting position. Cam 43 actuates the switch 65 which stops driving motor 41. The printing device is now ready to print the first bag of the lot B as soon as sack control device 16 sends the necessary impulse. As soon as locking mechanism 9' for discharge door has signaled the end of the filling operation of the 30th bag of lot F, the control mechanism 71 initiates movement of turntable 12 and operation of feeding device 2B. The printing and filling process is then repeated for the material B.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the displacement of the printing plates and of the counter-pressure plate in cooperation with the empty sack is effected by pneumatic actuators. In FIG. 3, a carriage 123 is slidable along horizontal rails 122 of frame 121 under the influence of a pneumatic actuator 137. Carriage 123 carries spaced, rotatable, octagonal drums 126 and 134 for driving and guiding an endless support or endless band 136 serving as a support for 14 printing stamps 127. Drum 134 is driven by the driving motor 129 of a stamp-selecting device which has not been shown. Inking device 125, with inking mechanism 148 through 151, is arranged at a fixed position.

In advance of drum 126, there is positioned a mask 138 provided with an opening 139 for a printing stamp 127. By suitable means, which have not been illustrated, mask 13 8 is resiliently mounted on carriage 123. Automatic flaps 162 are pivoted on frame 121. Counter-pressure plate 160 is operated by a fixed pneumatic operator 163.

When the printing stamp 127 is selected, the respective stamp is brought in front of opening 139 of mask 138 through rotation of the drums 126 and 134. Then band 136 is operated through one complete revolution and the respective inking mechanism 148-151 is actuated as the selected printing stamp 127 passes thereby. The stroke of actuators 137 and 163 is then initiated by sack control device 16. The bag is clamped between the counter pressure plate 160' and mask 138 and printed by the selected printing stamp 127. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 provides for installation of a very large number of printing stamps.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without depalting from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks comprising, in combination, a sack marking and filling station; a metering hopper at said station; means operable to transport empty sacks in suspended relation to a position beneath said metering hopper; a plurality of compartments each containing a different material to be sacked; a plurality of feeding means, each associated with a respective compartment, and each selectively operable to deliver material from the associated compartment to said metering hopper; first automatic control means operable to selectively activate one feeding device, to deactivate said one feeding device, after a number of metered charges of the same material have been sacked, and then to activate another selected feeding device; means operable to discharge each charge of material from said metering hopper into a respective sack suspended beneath the latter; a sack marking device arranged in said sack filling station to mark the sack with information identifying at least the selected material therein; and second control means connecting said marking device with the selected feeding device; said second control means effecting actuation of said marking device to mark the suspended empty sack before the latter is filled with a charge from said metering hopper.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a discharge door on said metering hopper; a locking mechanism maintaining said discharge door closed; and means controlled by said marking device and effective to operate said locking mechanism to open said discharge door after marking of an empty sack suspended beneath said metering hopper.

3. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 2, including a control element at said sack marking and filling station operated responsive to the presence of a suspended empty sack beneath said metering hopper; and a drive operatively associated with said marking device to effect a marking stroke theerof; said control element controlling operation of said drive,

4. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 1, in which said bag marking device comprises a stamp carrier, a stamp selecting device operatively associated with said carrier, and a counter-pressure plate cooperable with a selected stamp in the marking of an empty sack.

5. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 4, including an inking device operatively associated with said stamp carrier.

6. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 5, including means operable to move said marking device through a marking stroke; and switch means controlling said last-named means to deactivate said marking device after the inking stroke of said inking device.

7. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 6, including switching means operatively associated with said marking device and effective to interrupt operation of said marking device after a marking stroke, and before a subsequent marking stroke, when material from a different selected compartment is to be delivered to said metering hopper.

8. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 7, including a control device operatively associated with said last-named switching means and effective to cancel the marking-device-stopping-operation thereof after the marking stroke when two sacks, to contain material from the same compartment, are marked one after the other.

9. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 4, including common drive means operable to drive said stamp carrier and said counter-pressure plate in synchronism toward the empty sack disposed therebetween.

10. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 4, including guide rails; and a carriage supported on said guide rails for movement toward a sack suspended 7 beneath said metering hopper; said stamp carrier and said stamp selecting device being positioned on saidjcarria'gm 11. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 5,1including vertically extending guide rails; said inking device being supported on said vertically extending guide rail for movement therealong.

12. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 4, including a numerator mounted on a component of said marking device and operated responsive to each marking operation.

13. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimedin claim 4, including a dust-proof enclosure'for said marking device; said dust proof enclosure including normally closed dust flaps movable to an Open position by said stamp carrier during a marking stroke.

14. Apparatus for printing and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 4, in which said stamp carrier includes an endless band supporting a plurality of stamps.

15. Apparatus for marking and filling sacks, as claimed in claim 5, in which said inking device is positioned at a fixed point, said stamp carrier being movable relative to said inking device for an inking operation.

References Cited 'UNITED STATES PATENTS 562,438 6/1896 Timewell 53-131 10 2,200,971 5/1940 Sonneborn et a1. 5314 2,449,139 9/1948 Posner 53131 TRAVIS s. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

. R. L. SPRUILL, Assistant Examiner.

15 Us. 01. X.R. 

